Snowdon, Portmeirion & Welsh Mountain Steam

September 2020 - October 2021

5 days from £549pp

Indulge in North Wales’ stunning rural scenery on a relaxing holiday, enjoying four exceptional rail journeys. Reach the summit of Wales’ tallest peak on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, ride the UK’s longest heritage railway and visit the Italianate village of Portmeirion.

Return journey aboard the Snowdon Mountain Railway

Take in the views of Llanberis Lake on this return railway journey

Journey on the Welsh Highland Railway

Journey on the unforgettable Ffestiniog Railway

Enjoy the village of Portmeirion influenced by Italian design

Visit the quaint village of Betws-y-Coed

Description

Itinerary

What's Included

Travel Options

Dates & Prices

Reviews

Staying in the spectacular and rural surroundings of North Wales, treat yourself to a relaxing holiday combined with the wonders of rail. We head for the clouds with a steam excursion on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, a little rack and pinion railway which climbs to the very top of Snowdon. Next we chug along the shores of Lake Padarn, before gliding through more than 40 miles of show-stopping scenery, to join the iconic Welsh Highland Railway and Ffestiniog Railway. We spend time in the wonderful Italianate village of Portmeirion and charming Betws-y-Coed; the principal village of the Snowdonia National Park. It’s a fantastic opportunity to visit this beautiful part of the world and enjoy train travel as it used to be.

Day 1: Caernarfon

Make your own way to our hotel, where you meet our Tour Manager and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Day 2: Snowdon Mountain Railway & Llanberis Lake Railway

This morning we join the Snowdon Mountain Railway for a return journey offering amazing views as it slowly climbs to the summit. You can then enjoy the feeling of being 1,085 metres above sea level where you can also visit a café and gift shop. In the afternoon we enjoy a return journey on the lovely little Llanberis Lake Railway, which follows the shore of Lake Padarn with wonderful views of mountains and the lake along the way.

Day 3: The Welsh Highland Railway & Portmeirion

Today we join the Welsh Highland Railway, the UK’s longest heritage railway which runs for 25 miles from Caernarfon through the foothills of Snowdon and the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass to Porthmadog. From here we continue by coach to Portmeirion, a weird and wonderful Italianate village set on its own private peninsula. It is most famous for being the setting for the 1960s TV series The Prisoner.

Day 4: Ffestiniog Railway & Betws-y-Coed

We return to Porthmadog to join the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway, the Ffestiniog Railway, for a 13½-mile journey into the mountains, which encompasses pastures, forests, lakes, waterfalls, tunnels and horseshoe bends (even a complete spiral). We then take our coach to Betws-y-Coed in the heart of the Conwy valley and enjoy some free time before returning to our hotel.

Day 5: Home

After breakfast you are free to check out of our hotel and depart at leisure; you could even take the opportunity to explore the town of Caernarfon before heading home.

Please note: We cannot guarantee that all our rail journeys will be steam hauled and the running order of the itinerary may change depending on availability. The final itinerary will be confirmed in your final Travel Documents.

MAP ROUTE:

Four nights’ half board accommodation in Caernarfon

Coach transfers for our excursions

Services of our experienced Tour Manager

Join us at our hotel in the UK

Make your own travel arrangements at your convenience to join your selected holiday. Simply arrive at the hotel and our Tour Manager will be there to greet you.

If you require any further information to assist with your travel plans, please contact our Holiday Advisors who will be happy to help.

Parking is available at our hotel for those wishing to drive.

Dates:

2020

14 September 2020

12 October 2020

2021

14 June 2021

12 July 2021

13 September 2021

4 October 2021

Prices:

All prices listed are per person

Twin/double share: from £549

Single room supplement: from £140

Deposit: £150

Your Accommodation

Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon

★★★

Overview

Stay within walking distance of Caernarfon’s walled town, in a 3 star hotel full of history dating back to 1800. At the end of the day relax in the hotels spa facilities which include a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, bubble pool and a gym. The hotel also has a restaurant and a bar.